National Geographic photographer to discuss documenting nature

Christian Ziegler, a nature photographer and regular contributor to National Geographic, will speak at Yale on Thursday, April 3 as a Poynter Fellow in Journalism.

Ziegler will give a talk titled “Documenting Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation” at 2:30 p.m. in Rm. 110 of the Environmental Science Center, 21 Sachem St.

Although trained as a tropical biologist and ecologist, Ziegler found himself drawn to nature photography after being involved in several research projects based in tropical forests in Asia, Africa, and Central America. Zieglerbegan working as a freelance photographer, producing photographs for the World Wildlife Fund and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). He also helped found the International League of Conservation Photographers. His work has also appeared in National Geographic, GEO, and BBC Wildlife Magazine, as well as other publications.

During Ziegler’s career, he has been honored with several international awards, including being named the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2005.

The Poynter Fellowship in Journalism was established by Nelson Poynter, who received his master’s degree in 1927 from Yale. The fellowship brings to campus journalists from a wide variety of media outlets who have made significant contributions to their field. Among the recent Poynter fellows are Jill Abramson, Nathaniel Rich, and James Bennet.